Matatu!

Today commenced with a lesson in how to get around Nairobi using the “matato,” Africa’s version of a small bus. A matato is usually piloted by a semi-crazed driver (faster=more money), holds 14 passengers, and is about the size of a Volkswagen bus. The drivers often soup up their ride, one of ours today had a subwoofer and sweet sound system as well as neon lights inside. The drivers also seek to imply safety with their marketing scheme, naming their matato things such as “rampage,” and “Rambo’s revenge.” 20-30 Kenyan schillings (about 30 cents) will get you most anywhere… as long as you know where you are going!

Our matato survival lesson was given by James who works at the guesthouse we are temporarily staying at. James is married with three children. We tried to get him to play “spoons,” the card game with us but “I don’t like playing cards, mzunga play cards.” Mzunga is what all the Kenyans call us white folks, it literally translates to “going in circles.” Hmm… almost like we are always in a rush.

James took us by the houses we will be moving into on Monday. Our houses are across the street from the beginning Kibera, Nairobi’s largest slum. Kibera is probably 10X10 miles square but is home to over 1 million people, most all live on less than $1 a day.

James took us through Kibera. Wow. Want to be grateful for what you have? Come visit. Scraps of tin and sticks are the main building materials here and the center of the path runs with a milky colored liquid. Many vendors were selling goods from used shoes to charcoal. Most all of the cooking is done with charcoal or wood. These fuels are expensive to buy and Nairobi is about to impose a charcoal ban. What will they do? Not too sure about that. The streets were spotted with smiling children using all the English they knew, “How aaare yuuu?” So many people with a smile on their face but pain in their eyes.

James took us to his church (in Kibera slum) where he has been a member for 19 years. They have a big fenced in compound that had dozens of kids playing games, typically futbol with wound up plastic bags as a ball. The church is a hub for Compassion International, the organization that sponsors underserved children, often orphans. They were here on the Saturday for games, a meal so they could eat, extra tutoring help, and a medical clinic. If you are ever looking to give money (I’d like to think of it as an investment!), think of Compassion International. Awesome. James introduced us to all the staff at the church (but a school during the week). Introductions and a solid handshake are so important to the Kenyan culture. Going on a “tour” of something meets meeting all the people there… not seeing “the place.”

After that my team of mzungas went for a long walk down Ngong road, a main thoroughfare in Nairobi. The people selling stuff on the side of the path don’t pester you, they just want to talk to you! If you try using some Swahili (of which I am fluent in about 12 words now), they love it (and laugh at you!) So many people tell us “caribu,” meaning “You Are Welcome Here.” I love this place! Near-Future goals include playing soccer with some watutu, some kids!

-Lance